Publication date:

Categories:

About the Book

Although once thought to be a rare and unusual condition, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has become increasingly a part of everyday discourse as it has gathered more and more media attention. News magazines and programs have done features on the disorder and its range of symptoms, and popular culture has depicted characters suffering from OCD, such as the eponymous detective in the UPN television program, Monk.

One facet of OCD that is just beginning to be widely known is that people with the disorder can present a wide range of symptoms. Some people with OCD wash compulsively, others hoard objects, while still others-the audience of this book-struggle with obsessive thoughts. The most effective treatment techniques vary from symptom to symptom. This is why New Harbinger launched, with the publication of Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding, a series of books designed to bring the latest coping strategies for specific OCD symptoms to the people who need them most. Since that first book, we have brought readers two more titles: Overcoming Compulsive Washing and Overcoming Compulsive Checking. The professional community and OCD sufferers alike have warmly received all three books.

This fourth book in the series addresses the needs of those who struggle with obsessive thoughts they perceive as violent, disgusting, or blasphemous. Psychologists estimate that more than 50 percent of OCD sufferers experience aggressive, religious, or sexual thoughts. The goal of this book is to help people understand the impact of their control efforts on their obsessional thoughts. It works to help them recognize that thoughts, in themselves, are not threatening, dangerous, or harmful. Rather, it is the compulsive strategies they develop for coping that make the thoughts seem so harmful. The book offers safe and effective exposure exercises readers can use to limit the effect obsessive thoughts have on their lives. In addition to self-care strategies, the book includes information about choosing and making the most of professional care.

Contributors

Books by David A. Clark

Christine Purdon, PhD, CPsych, is associate professor of psychology at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, ON, Canada; and consulting psychologist with the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Books by Christine Purdon

Praise

“Purdon and Clark are among the world's top experts on the nature and treatment of unwanted obsessional thoughts. In this book, they describe powerful methods for conquering this problem, based on their own research as well as studies by other leading scientists. Although most self-help books on OCD include sections on dealing with unwanted thoughts, this excellent book provides the most thorough discussion of this topic that I've seen. Whether you have disturbing religious thoughts that you can't get rid of, irrational, unwanted, aggressive or sexual impulses, or other sorts of upsetting thoughts, this book is for you!” —Martin M. Antony, Ph.D., ABPP, director of the Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre at St. Joseph's Healthcare and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, both in Hamilton, Ontario

“Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts details powerful, proven, practical strategies that will enable people with obsessive-compulsive disorder to gain control over their obsessions and their lives. This book describes, in a clear and systematic way, a program for overcoming OCD. It provides a road map to a life without OCD.” —Dennis Greenberger, Ph.D., coauthor of Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think

“Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts is the best book on OCD that I have ever seen. This book helps you understand and help yourself with those intrusive thoughts and fantasies that plague your life. Clearly written, based on the latest research findings, and immensely helpful, this book will be a welcome guide to the millions of people who have obsessive-compulsive disorder. I will recommend this book to all of my patients with OCD. We are grateful to these two eminent psychologists for their insightful and practical guide.” —Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., president of the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy, president-elect of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, associate editor of The Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, professor of psychiatry at the Weill-Cornell University Medical College at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy

New Harbinger has published proven-effective self-help books and workbooks, as well as professional books on topics in psychology, health, and personal growth. Our books provide evidence-based therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and more.